All Rise...

The Charge

The Case

Imagine serving a prison sentence of 25 years to life for a crime committed
in desperation. Now imagine being told, after 20 years' imprisonment, that you
should have been sentenced to only six years. And now imagine, despite being a
model reformed prisoner, you are denied parole. In the face of such crushing
frustration, it is a testament to the human spirit that Debbie Peagler remained
such a positive woman. The documentary Crime After Crime tells the story
of the legal fight for Debbie's release. It is an inspiring film that honors
Debbie's strength, perseverance and goodness.

It wasn't until 2002, that California introduced a law allowing incarcerated
victims of domestic violence to petition the courts to review their cases. Until
then, cases tried before 1992, which were not originally allowed to submit
evidence of abuse as part of their defense, were not re-opened. Volunteering
their time to California's Habeas Project, lawyers Nadia Costa and Joshua Safran
review Debbie's case and discover a history of horrific abuse at the hands of
Oliver Wilson. Despite reporting the incidents to police, only to be ignored,
Debbie couldn't escape his control. When gang members killed Oliver, Debbie was
connected to the crime and threatened with the death penalty if she didn't plead
guilty and accept a life sentence.

When Nadia and Joshua hire a private investigator to unearth records and
track down witnesses to the 20-year-old case, they discover a trail of perjured
evidence and unethical judicial practice. Their efforts seem to finally pay off
when Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley offers them a written deal,
stating that Debbie should be freed to serve "the interests of
justice." However, weeks later he would rescind the offer without
explanation. What began as a pro bono good deed for the two lawyers becomes a
five-year fight for justice.

As the stakes grow higher, the lawyers take unconventional steps to
spotlight Debbie's case. They start a media campaign, give interviews on
television and sue the L.A. District Attorney's office. The public and some
celebrities join the cause calling for Debbie's release but there is still one
politician who can terminate hope with one decision.

Debbie is one of the most heroic people I have ever heard about. Surviving
years of terrible domestic abuse and then surviving prison is commendable
enough, but Debbie rebuilt herself in prison. Finishing her education, teaching
other inmates, leading the prison's gospel choir and being a leader of the
prison's labor force are among her achievements. When she speaks in interviews,
you can see the strength, peace and love in her person. Filmmaker Yoav Potash
(Food Stamped) says he knew he was going to make a movie about Debbie
after their first meeting and it's obvious the inspiration and motivation came
straight from Debbie.

Designated as the lawyers' videographer in support of their legal case, Yoav
had unprecedented access to Debbie and the prison, which normally forbids
inmates from appearing on camera. Cleverly, Yoav was making another documentary
about the progressive California prison and captured lots of footage with Debbie
as a result. The film follows the frustrating legal process through its many
hurdles. Yoav smartly calls upon Joshua to explain his avenues of petition by
drawing on a white board. This succinctly establishes the legal game for viewers
and dispels the complexities that will interfere with the real human drama and
tension. The film is not only a great documentary; it's an accomplished legal
thriller.

The camera work is superb and the standard definition 1.78:1 anamorphic
widescreen transfer is very attractive. The picture is sharp and clear while the
colors are natural. The Dolby 2.0 Stereo mix works well, with clear dialogue
heard throughout.

Released by Virgil Films under the banner of Oprah Winfrey's OWN Documentary
Club, the film is introduced by Rosie O'Donnell following Oprah's generic
welcome to the documentary line. Deleted scenes run about 20 minutes and include
an alternate edit of Debbie's back-story that incorporates re-enactments of some
incidents. There is also an ending that uses scenes from Debbie's memorial. The
"Q & A at Sundance" segment (14 minutes) is quite interesting as
Yoav, Nadia and Joshua take questions from an audience after the screening. Yoav
talks about the evolving edit of the film and the constant appeal for funding to
complete it. A featurette titled "In Context" (7:30) talks about the
fallout from Debbie's case and the ongoing campaign it has spawned. Several text
screens cover the bios of almost all of the filmmaking team and the contributing
musicians. There is also a list of the awards and press quotes the film has
received. Lastly, the film's trailer is also included.

Crime After Crime can be maddening with its exposure of judicial
corruption and political insensitivity. It is upsetting to realize that ordinary
people's lives amount to nothing when powerful individuals refuse to admit their
errors. The lasting statement of the film, however, is the belief that people
are compelled to do good. Debbie is an inspiration because despite the abuses
and injustices she has suffered, she remained a woman of strength, courage and
beauty. Nadia and Joshua are equally inspiring for their resolve to see justice
done even though they have nothing to gain personally through the long and
arduous fight. These are heroes that exist in real life. The DVD is highly
recommended.